Plant marker



July 28, 1936. w. R. wEBsTEiQ PLANT MARKER Filed Jan. 8, 1956 FLQJI INVENTOR BY ATTORNEY Patented July 28, 1936 "FFLE PLANT MARKER William R. Webster, Fredericksburg, Va.

Application January 8, 1936, Serial No. 58,092

3 Claims.

This invention relates to plant markers and label holders such as are used for marking the types of plants in nurseries and gardens. It has for its object the production of a marker 5 which will remain in position when handled or when a label is inserted; which will hold the label so that it is easily read by a person standing in front of it; into which the label is easily inserted or from which it may be easily removed without displacing the marker; and which will protect the label from wind and rain and also from accidental sprays. A further object of my invention is to produce a marker which shall be inexpensive, and which may be easily and rapidly manufactured.

In the drawing which accompanies this specification:--

Figure I is a perspective view of my plant marker;

Figure II is an edge view of the label assembled with its cover; 1 Figure III is a perspective view of the label holder before it is placed on the marker frame, but with the label and its cover in position in the holder; and

Figure IV is a sectional view of the label holder and the marker frame, along the line a.-b in Figure I, showing the manner in which the label holder is attached to the marker frame, and showing the label and its cover held in the label holder.

The frame of the marker consists of the twopointed wire loop I, l, which has the two points 2, 2, for thrusting into the ground, and the head 3 connecting the two legs I, l. The upper part of the frame is bent back at an angle forming elbows at 4, 4; the length of the portion of the frame which is bent back being somewhat greater than is the width of the label holder which is to be supported by the frame.

The label holder is made from a piece of sheet metal. I take a rectangular piece of sheet metal from which I cut rectangular pieces of equal size at each of the four corners (see Figure III) to form the ears 7, l. The two long edges I then fold over to form the guides 8 and 9. Under these guiding edges when so folded over the label with its cover is slipped from the end.

The label holder 6 is attached to the supporting frame I by placing the holder against the upper part of the frame I, and then bending the two ears I, 1 around the wire of the frame, as seen in Figure I. The bent portion of the frame holds the label up to easy view; the holder cannot slip downwards, and so out of position, because it is prevented by the elbows 4, 4 in the wire of the frame I; and it cannot be accidentally displaced by moving it upward unless the two ears 1, l are first unfolded from around the wire of the frame, for the folded ears 1, I will prevent such 5 displacement. On the other hand, the holder may be removed from the frame if it is desired, by unfolding the ears from around the wire of the frame.

In Figure IV I show the label holder, partly in 10 section, to show how the label H and its cover l2 are held under the folded edges. This section is made along the line ab in Figures I and III by cutting off the upper folded edge, and so revealing the label and the cover in situ. The label and its cover are a snug though easy fit under the folded edges of the label holder. It is an easy fit so that the label and cover may be removed at any time. Moisture defeats the objects of many plant markers by finding its way to the surface of the label, which soon becomes illegible. To prevent the ingress of water the label and cover are made a snug fit under the guiding edges of the holder 8 and 9, and the cover is turned over the ends of the label as at I4, M to prevent the ingress of water at the ends and also to form a spring against the back of the label holder to press the front of the cover against the inner faces of the guide edges 8 and 9 of the'holder. The label cover being a snug fit edgewise in the holder, being folded around the ends of the label, and being pressed against the front edges of the holder, ingress of moisture is prevented.

The label may be of paper or other suitable material. The label cover I form of a strip of transparent celluloid, or other weather resisting transparent material. I cut the strip from a roll, with the curve so that it will be bowed in its length and not across its width. This is shown in Figure II. The cutting of the cover material in this direction ensures the holding of the face of the cover against the folded edges 8 and 9 of the label holder; and the spring action of the folded ends against the back of the holder exerts a gentle pressure between the cover and the edges of the holder, at the same time pressing against the back of the holder themselves.

The two-pointed form of the frame of my marker ensures its facing in the proper direction, for it cannot be swung around as can a onepointed marker. It affords a firm support to the label holder.

I claim:

1. A plant marker comprising a looped frame consisting of two upright members connected by a cross member, the upper part of the frame being bent back at an angle to the lower part; a label holder having rolled flanges along its upper and lower edges, and engaging by its ends the upright members of the frame; a. label cut to slide into the holder and under the rolled edges of the holder; and a transparent cover on the label of substantially the same width as the label but longer than the label and with its ends folded back behind the label.

2. Aplant marker comprising a looped wire frame consisting of two upright members connected at their upper ends by a horizontal memher; a label holder consisting of a strip of sheet metal having rolled flanges along its upper and lower edges and ear pieces at its two ends engaging the upright members of the frame; a label fitted to slide into the holder under its rolled edges; and a transparent label cover bearing against the back of the label holder and against the rolled flanges of its upper and lower edges.

3. A label holder having rolled flanges along opposite edges; a label fitted to slide into the holder and under the flanges; a transparent label cover of substantially the same width as the label but longer than the label and with its ends folded back behind the label; and means for supporting the label holder.

WILLIAM R. WEBSTER. 

